I need to try this out, makes sense. I learned that I need to keep reading all the valuable insight on this forum to make sure I don't decapitate myself.
Gentlemen, from my last shave... I was looking at my setup for the month of January, and learned realized that I am a part of something. Thanks TSD!
After a baby bottom smooth shave this morning, along with a little reflection on my shaving journey so far, I have learned these from my shave today: I already have everything I need to get baby bottom smooth shaves, or very nearly so, with every shave and at a very reasonable cost. Sometimes the best accouterments to use for the shave will be found right away. Once a really good gear combo is found, stop and don't waste time. Other times, the very best blades, soaps, aftershaves, etc. are only found after a great deal of experimentation. If a great gear combo is found, keep on trying new things as there might be something much better. As regards #2 and #3, there is no right answer. #2 is the quickest and most efficient way to great shaves, but #3 can bring about some truly great shaves. I ultimately wound up going the #3 route, but could have done very nearly as well going with the #2 option. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably stick with #2. Find a relatively small number of reliable, trusted sources of wetshaving information, and favor those. Much of what you read about wethshaving online is bs, but there are also many pearls of wisdom to be found. Only a few will turn out to be of major importance. Let experience be your guide. Question what you are told. If it is false, you will then not be mislead. If it is correct, then you will have a deeper understanding of its correctness by investigating. There is much groupthink in the forums, blogs and YouTube. Take a step back every once in awhile and think outside of the box. Your shaves will benefit. The only difference between traditional wetshaving and any other form of shaving is that traditional wetshaving is less expensive, more enjoyable and gives better shaves. Less expensive, more enjoyable and gives better shaves makes a huge difference. I am almost done trying new shaving things, as I have already learned more than enough and found just the right things to get great shaves every time. Shaving, traditional wetshaving or otherwise, is a component of life, not something on which to be overly focused except for a learning period. The learning period is over and I have graduated Traditional Wetshaving University when my rate of learning new things starts to level off. Hyper-materialism / acquisition disorders / hoarding do not ultimately bring long-term happiness, and are not necessary to learn about or enjoy wetshaving. Jim Rion put it best. Wetshaving products can be available one day and not the next. The same goes for forums, blogs and other online resources. Share what you learn. This is very important. Wetshaving forums are for learning. The best is The Shave Den. The only enduring sources of wethsaving information are between your ears, in writing and in print. It's shaving, not dogma or rocket science. Don't overthink it and for heaven's sake don't lend any credence to the online forum wars / shouting matches / drama / temper tantrums. We were put on Earth to have fun and be happy. All of the above should be done with that in mind. I probably learned way to much from my shave this morning.
It is time to change the blade! http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/ten-blades-how-long-will-they-last.42857/page-2#post-783219
I learned that I can indeed get a two pass shave, with no prep, and no irritation. Just gotta have primo shave equipment. Fatboy on 9 and Voskhods. Never have gotten a 2 pass BBS before.
I confirmed that the Rapira Platinum Lux is not my blade. Didn't like it at all in the 37c. It wasn't too bad in my NEW LC, but still a little rough. In my Fatboy at 11 it felt very rough, even though the results were good.
I learned that the 30 day rule was great for honing in my ATT S1 and Plisson, but that I missed my WD and RR Kiyara. Great effortless shave today with tons of awesome lather.
1. new gear, specifically new DE razor makes me feel like a newbie even after years of experience 2. blades that sucked in your old DE may actually perform much better in your new one
I learned that after a month using a Gem Clog Pruf, a Fatboy cranked up to 9 is a mild shaver. And Tabac soap is awesome.
I learned that my SR shaves are getting just about as good as my DE shaves still room to improve on SR shaves, let's see if another 90 days changes this out come.
Balance, evrything needs balance. Like when the wife calls that dinner is ready one better move such is the case. But, balance in shaving in all realms. Now dinner.